Posted on
10/14/2007 7:25:19 PM
NFL Week 6 Free Picks: Saints at Seahawks
By Tim Furious
New Orleans Saints (0-4) vs. Seattle Seahawks (3-2)
Sunday, October 14th ---Qwest Field, Seattle --- 8:15pm EST
Opening NFL Line: Seattle -6.5 (41.5)
Preview
The Saints are a blithering mess. Their offense ranks 30th in the league with 12.8 points per game, their defense is 29th giving up a shocking 29.8 points per game. When they march to Qwest Field to take on the Seahawks, will it be more of the same from these lowly Saints?
New Orleans Offense vs. Seattle Defense
The Seattle defense was stomped in to the ground by Pittsburgh last week. They were on the field for over forty minutes during that game and were obviously burnt out by the end of the third quarter. But, New Orleans won’t be able to do the same. Drew Brees loves giving the ball away. He is the leagues worst with nine interceptions and only a single touchdown.
The loss of Deuce McAllister was obviously not addressed properly during their week four bye, and Reggie Bush continues to dance around in the backfield and lose yardage. The Saints have the fifth worst rushing attack in the league with a paltry 82.0 yards per game.
Qwest Field is absurdly loud and the fans get rabid for their Seahawks. That noise will be the difference maker for Seattle as Brees phones in another performance and gets rattled by the home crowd. The Saints quarterback is playing with zero confidence right now, and the offense has sputtered because of it.
Seattle Offense vs. New Orleans Defense
Mike Holmgren and Matt Hasslebeck got few opportunities to use their offense last week, and were held off the scoreboard by Pittsburgh. Fortunately, they face a defense that has given up 119 points, bad enough to be ranked 24th in the league.
The Seahawks will find plenty of room to run and throw against a terrible New Orleans defense. They play extremely well at home and this can not be emphasized enough when a betting investor is trying to get their head around a spread like this. Matt Hasslebeck will be without Deion Branch, but Nate Burleson and Bobby Engram have the tools to get the atrocious Saints secondary.
Shaun Alexander is having a quiet year, but he is still managing 3.7 yards per carry. He is a solid between-the-tackles runner, although he will certainly miss his fullback Mac Strong. Expect the Seahawks to lean on Maurice Morris and Alexander, especially if the weather in Seattle calls for rain (as it usually does).
NFL Betting Trends
-Seattle is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games against New Orleans
-New Orleans is 0-5 ATS in their last five games
-Seattle is 2-3-2 ATS in their last seven home games
-Seattle is 18-3 SU in their last 21 home games
Final Verdict
Seattle will handle the hapless Saints easily on their home field. Reggie Bush has to emerge as the superstar he is projected to be, but he will not be able to do it in Seattle because the Seahawks linebacker corps is fierce and steady. There is no reason to have any betting faith in the Saints right now and it is virtually inconceivable to imagine these listless Saints beating a strong home team like Seattle.
NFL Free Pick: New Orleans 13 Seattle 24
Week 6 NFL Odds Podcast:
The 2007 NFL betting season is here in full force! If you like to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible place for online betting. The BetUS sportsbook has NFL odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NFL lines up for early games as well. Join BetUS today and we'll help guide you right through to Super Bowl XLII and beyond!